For millions of listeners, Dan “Big Cat” Katz is the boisterous, larger-than-life co-host of Pardon My Take, the voice screaming about the Chicago Bears, or the lovable “Podfather” keeping order at the Barstool HQ. He is one of the most transparent personalities in sports media when it comes to his opinions on sports, pop culture, and the internal politics of Barstool Sports.
However, there is one area where Big Cat draws a distinct line in the sand: his family. Despite his fame, Katz has managed to keep a significant portion of his personal life out of the spotlight, leading to constant questions from fans. So, what is the definitive answer? Is Big Cat married?
The short answer is yes. Dan Katz is married. However, the identity of his wife and the details of his home life are subjects he protects fiercely, making the story of his marriage unique in the world of influencer media.
Who is Dan “Big Cat” Katz?
Before diving into his personal life, it helps to understand the man himself. Dan Katz, born on January 30, 1985, in Newton, Massachusetts, is a 40-year-old sports media juggernaut. After graduating from the University of Iowa, he rose through the ranks at Barstool Sports to become the face of the brand’s Chicago branch and eventually a national powerhouse.
Today, he co-hosts the insanely popular Pardon My Take (PMT), which averages approximately 1.5 million listeners per episode. He is also a regular on The Yak, Barstool Pick Em, and FS1’s Wake Up Barstool.Despite this massive exposure, he has successfully built a firewall between “Big Cat,” the entertainer, and “Dan Katz,” the family man.
The Marriage: Yes, Big Cat Has a Wife
The internet is filled with confusion regarding Big Cat’s spouse. Depending on where you look, his wife’s name is listed as either Stephanie Maloney or Caitlin Nugent Clancy. This discrepancy highlights how effectively Katz has hidden his private life.
The most consistently reported and credible information identifies Stephanie Maloney as his wife. According to multiple biographical sources, the two met while attending the University of Iowa. Their relationship reportedly began in college, surviving the transition from the Midwest to the high-pressure media environment of New York and Chicago.
Some older or less reliable sources have floated the name Caitlin Nugent Clancy or the generic fan nickname “Lady Cat,” but these are believed to be either aliases used to throw off public searches or simple reporting errors. The consensus is that Katz met Stephanie in college, and they have been partners ever since.
The “Lady Cat” Philosophy
Why is there so much mystery? Big Cat has explicitly stated that he wants his wife (whom he often refers to as “Lady Cat” to maintain anonymity) and children to have as normal a life as possible.
In an era where influencer couples often monetize their relationships, Big Cat has done the opposite. He rarely posts photos of his wife’s face on social media, and when he discusses his family on the podcast, it is usually in general terms—complaining about kids’ cartoons or the logistics of parenting, rather than specific details.
This “Vow of Privacy” is a deliberate strategy. He realized early on that once the genie is out of the bottle—once a face is attached to a name—his family would be subject to harassment from trolls or unwanted attention in public. By keeping his wife’s identity obscured, he allows her to live a life outside of the Barstool drama.
Life Beyond the Microphone: Family and Balance
The couple has three children. They welcomed their first child, a son named Jaxon, in the summer of 2019, followed by a daughter named Ellie, and later a third child whose name has largely been kept private.
Recently, Katz has been very open about the struggle to balance his high-octane career with his duties as a husband and father. In a candid 2025 interview on Green Light with Chris Long, Big Cat admitted that his current work-life balance is “not sustainable”.
“It’s just like, I’m pulled in a million different directions,” Katz admitted. He revealed that on one Friday, there were 10 hours of content released featuring him. That level of exposure is exhausting, but it also takes time away from his family.
To rectify this, Big Cat has publicly stated that he plans to “wind down” within the next two to four years. While he intends to continue Pardon My Take indefinitely—because he views watching sports with his co-host PFT Commenter as “not work”—he plans to drop many of his auxiliary duties. This move is largely seen as a way to reclaim his evenings and weekends for Stephanie and the kids.
Parenting: The “Dad Cat” Legacy
While his wife stays out of the spotlight, his parenting does not. At the Barstool office, Katz has earned the nickname “Dad Cat” for his ability to de-escalate conflicts among the年轻 (younger, wilder staff members.
One famous incident involved a “kerfuffle” at the Barstool HQ, where younger employees got into a physical scuffle. While others panicked, Big Cat stepped in with the calm authority of a seasoned father. “It didn’t hit you. What can we do?” he reportedly said, defusing the tension. This ability to manage chaos at work while maintaining a stable home life speaks volumes about the support system he has with his wife.
Everything Fans Want to Know (And Why It Matters)
Fans are obsessed with Big Cat’s marriage because it is an anomaly in internet culture. In a business where shock jocks and influencers often burn out due to partying or public relationship meltdowns, Big Cat remains a stable, consistent force.
He represents the “boring” successful adulthood that many millennials aspire to. He goes to work, yells about football, makes millions, and then goes home to his wife and kids in the suburbs. By keeping Stephanie Maloney out of the headlines, he has protected the one thing that keeps him grounded.
So, to answer the question definitively: Yes, Big Cat is married. His wife’s name is Stephanie, and while you won’t see her on Pardon My Take, she is the silent partner enabling one of the biggest careers in sports media.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are the most common questions regarding Dan “Big Cat” Katz’s relationship status, answered based on available information.
1. Is Big Cat from Barstool married?
Yes. Dan “Big Cat” Katz is married. He has been with his wife, Stephanie, since their time at the University of Iowa.
2. Who is Big Cat’s wife?
Big Cat’s wife is named Stephanie Maloney (though some sources have used pseudonyms to protect her identity). She is a private individual who does not appear on the podcast or social media.
3. Why does Big Cat hide his wife’s face?
He does so to protect her privacy. Big Cat has stated that he wants his family to have a normal life, free from the scrutiny and negativity that can sometimes come from the internet and Barstool fans.
4. Does Big Cat have kids?
Yes. Dan Katz has three children. His first son, Jaxon, was born in 2019, followed by a daughter named Ellie and a third child born more recently.
5. Did Big Cat grow up a Bears fan?
Surprisingly, no. While he is the face of Chicago sports at Barstool, Katz recently revealed he grew up in Massachusetts as a Boston sports fan. He switched allegiances to Chicago after moving there for work because he fell in love with the city.
6. What is “Lady Cat”?
“Lady Cat” is the nickname used by fans (and sometimes Big Cat himself) to refer to his wife as a way to discuss her without revealing her real name.
7. Is Big Cat leaving Barstool because of his family?
Not entirely, but family is a factor. He has stated he plans to “wind down“ in the next few years to reduce his workload. While he will stay with Pardon My Take, he plans to leave side projects to spend more time with his wife and kids.
8. Was Big Cat ever divorced?
No. No records or reports suggest that Dan Katz has ever been divorced. He has been with his current wife for a significant portion of his adult life.
9. Does Big Cat’s wife work at Barstool?
No. Unlike some couples in the media industry, Stephanie does not work for Barstool Sports. She maintains a career and life entirely separate from the company.
10. How does his wife feel about the “Pardon My Take” fame?
While she hasn’t given an interview, Big Cat implies she is supportive but keeps him humble. Her desire for privacy suggests she enjoys the financial benefits of his fame but not the public attention itself.